The entry-level Bentley Continental GTC has a four-liter V-8 developed with Audi that delivers better fuel economy and about the same performance as the optional 12-cylinder.

TERRY'S GARAGE

Entry-level Bentley still a luxury ride

Written byTERRY BOX | Automotive Writer

Published February 7, 2014

Even high-in-the-sky Donald Trump buys the small fries sometimes. Granted, bombastic, blow-dried guys like Trumped-up Don could buy a rail car’s worth of french fries at every meal — with their pocket change.

But why spend your stash of gold from that, uh, sensitive little deal in Shanghai when a mere pile of silver might suffice?

That’s sort of the premise behind the 2014 Bentley Continental GTC V-8, a “base” Bentley that costs about one full Hyundai less than the higher-end 12-cylinder Speed model — an easy 25 grand.

If you’re imagining steel wheels, dog-bowl hubcaps, vinyl seats and crankc windows, don’t worry. You can still easily meet the car code at the Capital Grille.

Here’s the deal, though: When Bentley introduced the Continental coupe and convertible GTC models a decade or so ago, the massively stylish 5,500-pound cars relied on muscular, turbocharged 12-cylinder engines from Volkswagen, the owner of Bentley.

Not only would a V-8 GTC be slightly less expensive and a few pounds lighter, it also should get better fuel economy and emit fewer hydrocarbons.

And it does. But in addition, the V-8 Bentley performs about as well as the 12-cylinder model — truly a smaller box of well-salted fries still stuffed with real potatoes.

I found it pretty darn tasty.

But let me acknowledge something right up front: I can’t make a rational case for a $229,000 convertible. It’s like a 10,000-square-foot house — the gooey filling of fantasies and daydreams, which I‘m mostly OK with.

The glossy black GTC that Bentley lent me has changed little in the last eight years — and it still stops traffic.

Its sparkle starts with simple oval headlamps up front and powerful, suitably long front fenders.

But two well-placed character lines keep the Bentley looking fresh: one darting off the back of the front wheel opening and running through the door handle; and the other down low, slicing along the edge of the rear wheel well and giving the GTC the kind of elegant muscle you see in a fast NFL linebacker.

Throw in a set of 21-inch black-and-silver wheels shod with 275/35 tires, and you’re ready for South Beach. (Sequined Speedos are strictly optional.)

The GTC interior — like the exterior — is a mix of old and new. The 200 mph speedometer, for example, hints pretty strongly at the extremely contemporary 4-liter V-8 beneath the long hood.

Put the top down

Act rich and put the Bentley’s black soft top down as soon as you get in. For one thing, it disappears completely beneath a smooth panel behind the back seat, giving the GTC a clean, neon-boulevard profile.

But with the top down, you can also impress Park Cities debs with the car’s tony and vaguely ’50s interior.

Likewise, the center stack featured two quaint round climate-control vents at its top with silver old-school levers to open them.

It dropped down onto a console bordered by stitched black leather, maintaining a traditional round Bentley clock between the climate-control vents.

In fact, the interior — like the exterior — was a mix of old and new. The 200 mph speedometer, for example, hinted pretty strongly at the extremely contemporary 4-liter V-8 beneath the long hood.

But the console offered no mouse or dopey control pad, and the stereo, climate control and fan could somehow be controlled without a computer.

The GTC’s black leather seats with quilted white centers could have been snatched from a 1950 Mercury lead-sled, though they sported material far nicer than you find in a typical hamburger-and-beer custom.

And while headroom in back felt expansive to me even with the Bentley’s chopped-looking top up, leg room was quite tight — a back seat mostly for poodles.

Think about this: The GTC’s turbocharged 4-liter V-8 is no bigger than many V-6s from the ’90s and produces way more than twice their horsepower with roughly similar fuel economy (14 miles per gallon city, 24 highway).

It fired off with a surprising little growl, settling into a burbling idle.

With thick, silky low-end torque and a long, lazy throttle, the Bentley could cruise Beverly Hills all day at a leisurely 30 or 40 mph — or so I’m told. I’m still not allowed in.

But when you need a good high-volt jolt, step down hard on that sleepy throttle.

The big all-wheel-drive Bentley gathers itself for a nanosecond and then leaps forward with a deep, angry snarl, banging off stunning 6,500-rpm shifts from its eight-speed automatic.

Sixty flashes by in an astounding 4.2 seconds, according to Car and Driver. (Call me a cynic, but I seriously doubt that the engine has “just” 500 horsepower.)

As you might expect, though, the handling in this giant gentleman’s (or lady’s) GTC is slightly less inspiring.

The steering, for instance, felt a bit too light and vague at city speeds, though it tightened as the pace quickened and tracked beautifully.

Likewise, the ride was almost German firm but with great compliance, allowing the GTC to sail happily down smooth roads.

Although the car turned pretty aggressively into corners for something approaching three tons, it was less happy about sudden, quick changes in direction.

Still, I suspect that the Bentley could be really hustled down an open, curved road.

It was so good, in fact, that I think I’d be willing to be rich. I’m eccentric, I can drink expensive wine when I must and I’m willing to stretch most rules.